International Driving Permit

[stabard]

Thank you everyone - looks like a trip to Swindon at the weekend then.

[Gerry Reed]

Is it the 1949 or 1929 version that we need to get ? The postal method via AA offer both. By the way, they only want photocopies of documents - not originals and they charge an extra £2.50 above the post office rate. So well worth doing that way if you are not near a post office that does them and have the time to do it by post.

Sue

[florida4sun]

What is an international driving permit?

An international driving permit is a special driving licence that allows motorists to drive vehicles in other countries without further tests or applications. If you have an international driving permit, this proves that you have a valid driving permit issued by a competent authority in your home country. If you are travelling abroad and wish to drive in another country, you will very likely require an international driving permit. International driving permits issued in Ireland are only available to Irish residents with a current full driving licence.
There are two types of international driving permit issued in Ireland:

• A 1949 Convention International Driving Permit, which is the most commonly issued driving permit and is recognised in most countries
• A 1926 Convention International Driving Permit, which is required for the following countries - Brazil, Iraq, Nigeria and Somalia.

Is it the 1949 or 1929 version that we need to get ? The postal method via AA offer both. By the way, they only want photocopies of documents - not originals and they charge an extra £2.50 above the post office rate. So well worth doing that way if you are not near a post office that does them and have the time to do it by post.

Sue

[steph_goodrum]

Just seen this as well so no immediate panic but for the sake of a fiver will get one for our April trip unless it has changed before then.
"UPDATE: This is from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles:

Statement from DHSMV on International Driving Permits

During the 2012 legislative session, the Florida Legislature amended section 322.04, Florida Statutes, to require visitors from outside the United States to have an International Driving Permit in order to drive lawfully in Florida. This change took effect Jan. 1, 2013.

It has come to the Department’s attention that this requirement may violate the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (1949), an international treaty to which the United States is a signatory. Treaties to which the United States is a party preempt state laws in conflict with them.

Therefore, the Florida Highway Patrol will defer enforcement of violations of the amended statutory section until a final determination of the alignment of the amendment with the treaty can be made. Non-resident visitors to Florida who wish to drive while here will be required to have in their immediate possession a valid driver license issued in his or her name from another state or territory of the U.S. or from their country of residence. However, the FHP will not take enforcement action based solely on the lack of an International Driving Permit. "

[floridadreamvilla.co.uk]

Here is the link to the official statement from the above post:

http://www.flhsmv.gov/IDP.htm

[Laurel Oak]

Still think it wise to get an IDP as I would hate to be involved in an accident and the car hire company claim that the insurance is not valid as you don't have an IDP. Better safe than sorry for £5.50 or £8.00 (AA).

[bargainqueen]

I agree, especially if you have the original paper licences like we do. It took me 3 hours due to the travel time but I feel that it was worth it for peace of mind.

[Albert the Frog]

This is obviously very fluid at the moment-there was an item on bbc breakfast this morning (8.15 if you are i player-ing) and the situation changed again overnight according to the travel guy-simon something or other but at the moment for the sake of £8/£5.50 i'd get one

[floridadreamvilla.co.uk]

Thanks everyone. We've updated the page on our website with the new news and will continue to post news as we hear it there: http://www.uscarhire.com/internation...t-florida.aspx

[floridadreamvilla.co.uk]

I've just posted this to our website:

15 February 2013: Further update: It's confirmed an IDP is NOT required for car rentals in Florida

As per the news and advise from both the FCO and ABTA, the new law introduced in Florida has now been deferred, and customers no longer need to purchase an international drivers permit in order to drive a car in Florida. Please see below information as per the FCO website today.

"The State of Florida has suspended enforcement of a recently introduced driving law requiring non-resident drivers to be in possession of an International Driving Permit and a UK driving licence. Following the change, a valid UK driving licence, or licence issued by another foreign government or US State, is the only requirement for driving a car in Florida."

We will continue to closely monitor the situation, and in the event that this law is re-introduced at a further date, will again advise accordingly with as much notice as possible.